The daily favorites
Rose 31 &
Cypress & Grapevine
Le Labo and Jo Malone. These are my everyday choices.
01 / The lounge
The lounge
My Aromatic Botanist G&T. Orange, star anise, a little fruit, and time for the first sip.
Two more favorites
Explore the cocktail+
The Aromatic Botanist G&T
Ingredients
- 2 oz The Botanist Islay Dry Gin
- 4–5 oz chilled premium tonic water
- 1 fresh orange slice
- A squeeze of fresh lemon juice
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- 1 whole star anise pod
- A pinch of dried currants or dried blueberries
Make it
- Place the star anise and dried berries in the bottom of the glass.
- Carefully add the ice sphere and pour the gin over it. Let it rest for 30 seconds before adding the citrus and tonic.
- Add the lemon juice and orange bitters. Tuck the orange slice alongside the ice.
- Slowly pour the chilled tonic down the inside edge of the glass. Give it one gentle lift with a bar spoon, then serve.
Two variations
Italicus: If you’re out of star anise or dried berries, add ¼–½ oz Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto to the gin instead.
Tea: Steep a sachet of fruity or herbal tea in the 2 oz of gin for 5–10 minutes. Remove the sachet before assembling the drink.
Still in the lounge
The occasion.
The company.
Three of my own recipes. Gin and mezcal are my usual starting points; the choice depends on the occasion and the company.
Harry’s Old Fashioned
Bourbon, turbinado, two bitters. A batch to share.
The recipe +
Harry’s Old Fashioned
My go-to batch: fun to make, sophisticated to enjoy.
For the batch
- 16 oz (2 cups) Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon
- 18 tbsp (1 cup + 2 tbsp) turbinado simple syrup
- 20 dashes Angostura bitters
- 15 dashes orange bitters
For serving
- Large ice spheres or cubes
- Fresh orange peels, or a fresh orange slice
- Fabbri Amarena cherries
- Spiced rum-soaked maraschino cherries
Mix the batch
- Combine the bourbon and turbinado simple syrup in a pitcher or mixing vessel.
- Add both bitters and stir well to blend.
- If preparing ahead, seal and refrigerate.
Serve a glass
- Place one large ice sphere or cube in a double Old Fashioned glass.
- Pour about 3⅛ oz of the batch over the ice, dividing it into roughly eight servings.
- Stir gently to chill and slightly dilute.
- Express the oils of an orange peel over the glass and drop it in. Alternatively, squeeze a fresh orange slice over the drink.
- Finish with one Fabbri Amarena cherry and one spiced rum-soaked maraschino cherry.
Eclipse Nocturno
Mezcal, blood orange, amaro. A savory edge.
The recipe +
Eclipse Nocturno
A complex sour with mezcal, bitter amaro, blood orange, and a savory rim. A celebration of my favorite speakeasies.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz Tobalá mezcal, or a high-proof artisanal Espadín
- ¾ oz fresh blood orange juice
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- ½ oz Amaro Montenegro or Cynar
- ½ oz agave nectar
The rim
Mix crushed Hawaiian black lava salt with ground freeze-dried passionfruit powder. Add a touch of smoked paprika if desired.
Make it
- Run a lime wedge around half the rim of a rocks glass and coat that half with the salt mixture.
- Combine all liquid ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Shake hard for 12–15 seconds, until well chilled.
- Strain over one large ice cube. Garnish with a dehydrated blood orange wheel.
Choose your character
The mezcal: Tobalá or an Espadín/Tobalá ensamble is my preferred direction; Espadín works here, too.
The amaro: Choose Montenegro for a more citrus-led version, or Cynar for a darker, herbal direction.
View the card ↗A note from the bar
Keep this
within reach.
A little guidance for the next round.
There’s something
for the table.
02 / The kitchen
The kitchen
Grapes, basil, olive oil, and flaky salt. A few ingredients I like together.
A few personal favorites
Make the grape salad+
Grape salad
Red and white grapes, fresh basil, unfiltered olive oil, and flaky salt.
What you need
- Red and white grapes, halved
- Fresh basil, cut into ribbons
- Unfiltered olive oil
- Flaky salt
Bring it together
Toss the halved grapes with the basil and a drizzle of olive oil. Finish with flaky salt, tasting as you go.
03 / Personal favorites
Within reach.
A few things I return to. Scent belongs here, too.
Rose 31 &
For the pleasure of it
Apple Brandy
on the Rocks
A fragrance that makes me happy.
04 / The listening corner
Stay for
another song.
Chic & Breezy.
A playlist from my collection, for your company.